Spain and Argentina kick off 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between defending champions Argentina and Spain kicked off Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, capping a 39-day tournament that has shattered attendance records and spanned three countries. Kickoff was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT before a capacity crowd of approximately 80,663 fans.metlifestadium+1

Lionel Messi leads Argentina in pursuit of a second consecutive World Cup title, while Spain seeks its second-ever championship. The matchup marks the first all-Spanish-speaking World Cup final since 1930, when Uruguay defeated Argentina in Montevideo.wikipedia+2

A Closing Ceremony for the Ages

FIFA's pre-match closing ceremony began at 1:30 p.m. local time and featured performances from Post Malone, Swae Lee, Robbie Williams, IShowSpeed, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger, along with a special appearance by Tom Cruise. Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Jennifer Hudson delivered a rendition of the United States national anthem ahead of kickoff.fifa+2

Gates opened at 11:00 a.m., four hours before the scheduled start, with FIFA encouraging fans to arrive early to participate in the ceremony.fifa

Trump in Attendance, Trophy Presentation Expected

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are attending the final, according to the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the president's plans earlier in the week, calling it "a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America's ability to host the world on the grandest stage". Trump is expected to present the World Cup trophy to the winning team.reuters+3

Trump attended a FIFA World Cup reception at Trump Tower in New York on Friday but had not attended any of the tournament's previous 102 matches.cbssports+1

Historic Tournament Reaches Its Climax

In a first for the tournament, FIFA announced that the winning players will receive championship rings alongside the traditional gold medals and trophy, borrowing a tradition from American professional sports leagues. The 2026 World Cup has already set an all-time cumulative attendance record, surpassing the 3.587 million fans who attended the 1994 tournament in the United States.sports.yahoo+2